…
Black. That's all I see, all I feel. Dark. Void. Two voices fade in. It is hard to decipher what they are saying, as the sounds are muffled. It sounds like they are arguing.
"And you let her?!"
"The girl was determined! But you need to lie back down! You're not healed yet!"
"I don't care!"
Pictures begin to fade in. A boy. His eyes are masked, making him appear mysterious, his hair is jet black and spiked. His shirt brandishes the letter 'R', and I can't help but feel like this boy was… is… important. But more than that, I think I- I- it hurts. It hurts to remember. Why does it hurt? A voice fades into my mind, a memory, "We can't have relationships on this team. It would mess with the dynamics and put us all in danger. We are heroes, we don't have time for it." The speech that broke my heart. But that was a whole year ago. Surely, this is no longer true? Cold… so...very… cold… but I feel…
Warmth.
Third Person POV
Robin walked to Starfire, clenching his chest, biting back the pain. Raven appeared behind Cyborg and dragged him out, shutting the door. Robin held Starfire's hand in his own, praying she would be alright. He looked miserably to her pulse. It seemed healthy enough, though Robin was not sure if it was the same for Tamaranians. He hoped so. He really, really hoped so.
Starfire's POV
A voice… R-Robin's voice.
"Starfire, I-I'm sorry."
Sorry? For what?
"You probably can't hear me, and perhaps that's for the best…"
Robin...I can hear you… I will always be able to hear you…
"But I'm sorry. I'm sorry you had to give your blood to me, I'm sorry for worrying you, and I'm sorry that, no matter how hard I try, you always end up getting hurt. And that hurts me, as well."
I-I am sorry, too, Robin. I am sorry for the pain I have caused you.
"I was thinking, if-no, when you get better, we need to talk. I've been hiding behind a mask my whole life and you can't see me."
I see you for you, Robin. You are the hero that brought me in and helped me when I was alone, you are the friend that never fails to answer my many questions with an amazing amount of patience, you are the leader that works non-stop to protect me and the rest of Jump City, and you are the boy whom I fell in love with.
"Please, Starfire, wake up. I don't want it to end like this. Please, Starfire, please...please wake up, Starfire."
I need to wake up. I do not wish to cause Robin pain. It causes me pain as well. My eyelids flutter open softly as the room comes into focus.
"Starfire!" I feel a pair of arms wrap around me in a tight embrace. Robin winces as he does so, not realizing his quick action.
"Are you okay?" he asks, slowly pulling away.
"I am fine, Robin, thanks to you."
Robin smiles and looks away for a moment, then looks back to me, "I could say the same for you." My eyes dart over to his chest, and I realize he is clutching it.
"You are hurt! You should not be moving!"
"I'm fine, Star, really." He winces as he smiles at me. The smile is fake. Tamaranians are quite good at reading people. I look at him with concern in my eyes, "No you are not. You need to lie back down."
"Fine." he tries to get up but bites his lip in the process. I fly up and help him to his bed.
"Dinner!" Cyborg calls from the hall.
"I apologize, Robin. I will be right back with dinner for the both of us." Robin nods as I fly away.
I feel bad leaving him in such a state. I will be back quickly. Beast Boy walks up to me. "Star! Why'd you leave the battle so ear-wait, where's Robin?" he says, panic-stricken. "Did we not get the right medicine?!"
"He is-the resting." I say, sadly.
